Tape player having a cam and a mode detecting gear

ABSTRACT

A tape player is provided to simplify a mechanical part, eliminate parts, and provide efficient assembly of the mechanical part and a more compact apparatus. The tape player includes pins respectively moving in four different grooves provided in one disk-like cam, and a lever in conjunction with the movement of the pins to use movement of the lever so as to perform a cassette tape carry in/out operation, a head base moving operation, a playback running direction switching operation, and a selective operation to transfer driving force to a reel rest during fast forward.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/313,119filed on Oct. 13, 1994, now abandoned which was the National STAGE ofInternational Application No. PCT/JP94/00312, filed on Oct. 13, 1994.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a tape player, and more particularly toimprovement of an auto-reverse tape player mounted on a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, as a multi-function tape player has been moredeveloped, more electronic devices have been employed in an apparatus.FIG. 59 is a sectional view of a cam device for mechanically actuating acassette tape in a conventional tape player apparatus disclosed inJapanese Patent Publication (Kokoku) No. 4-10136. In the drawing,reference numeral 301 denotes an operation mode switching cam, 302 is ahorizontal head base backward cam for the cassette tape, and 303 is acassette vertical cam. As shown in FIG. 60, these cams are rotated tomove links 304, 305, and 306 respectively having pins engaging camgrooves in the respective cams so as to actuate mechanisms for a carryin/out operation of the cassette, movement of the head, switch-over of arun direction during playing back, and so forth.

Though many electronic devices have been increasingly employed andmulti-functional operations have been required, complicated mechanicallinks as shown in the conventional embodiment are in actuality essentialfor drive (such as fast forward, or playback) of the tape. Consequently,as more electronic devices have been employed in the apparatus, the needto simplify these mechanical portions, reduce the number of parts, andso forth has given. Further, there are caused important problemsrelating to fabrication of the apparatus, in that the mechanicalportions should be assembled at higher efficiency, the apparatus shouldbe made more compact, and so forth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is made to overcome the problems as describedabove, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a tapeplayer which can simplify the mechanical portions, reduce the number ofparts, and can solve the problems in the fabrication of the apparatus,about the higher efficient assembly of the apparatus, a more compactapparatus, and so forth.

A tape player according to the present invention is provided to operatepins engaging four different grooves provided in one disk-like cam so asto move in the respective grooves according to rotation of the disk-likecam, a member having a lever working in conjunction with the movement ofthe pins, for performing a carry in/out operation of a cassette tapeengaging the lever by the operation of the lever, a member for a movingoperation of a head base, a member for a playback running directionswitching operation, and a member for selective operation to transferdriving force to a cassette tape driving mechanism during fast forward.

Thereby, the one disk-like cam enables the cassette tape carry in/outoperation, the head base moving operation, the playback runningdirection switching operation, and the selective operation to transferthe driving force to the cassette tape driving mechanism during fastforward.

Alternatively, in a tape player according to the present invention, afirst groove for a cassette carry in/out operation, and a second groovefor a playback running direction switching operation are provided in afirst surface of a disk-like cam. Further, a third groove for a headbase moving operation, and a fourth groove for a selective operation totransfer driving force to a cassette tape driving mechanism during fastforward are provided in a second surface.

Thereby, the grooves in both sides of the one disk-like cam enable thecassette tape carry in/out operation, the head base moving operation,the playback running direction switching operation, and the selectiveoperation to transfer the driving force to the cassette tape drivingmechanism during fast forward.

Alternatively, in a tape player according to the present invention, infour operations including a cassette tape carry in/out operation, a headbase moving operation, a playback running direction switching operation,and a selective operation to transfer driving force to a cassette tapedriving mechanism during fast forward, the operations are performedaccording to rotation of a disk-like cam from a starting point in thefollowing order: a cassette tape take-in and cassette tape mounted totape driving mechanism mode; a tape L direction fast forward mode; atape R direction playback mode; a tape L direction playback mode; and atape R direction fast forward mode.

Thereby, only one disk-like cam enables the cassette take-in andcassette tape mounted to tape driving mechanism mode operation, the tapeL direction fast forward operation, the tape R direction playbackoperation, the tape L direction playback operation, and the tape Rdirection fast forward operation.

Alternatively, in a tape player according to the present invention,there is a difference in groove width between a first groove and asecond groove provided in a first surface of a disk-like cam, or betweena third groove and a fourth groove provided in a second surface.

Thereby, pins can be prevented from erroneously engaging wrong groovessince the grooves provided in the one disk-like cam have differentgroove widths.

Alternatively, in a tape player according to the present invention, arib is provided for a groove other than first to fourth grooves providedin a disk-like cam.

Thereby, the grooves in the one disk-like cam can clearly bediscriminated.

Alternatively, in a tape player according to the present invention, whena disk-like cam is rotated by a predetermined angle, in four operationsincluding a cassette tape carry in/out operation, a head base movingoperation, a playback running direction switching operation, and aselective operation to transfer driving force to a cassette tape drivingmechanism during fast forward, no force is applied to each pin frommembers for performing at least three of the operations.

Thereby, at a predetermined position of a groove, no force is applied tothe disk-like cam from the members for performing at least three of thefour operations, resulting in easier assembly.

Alternatively, in a tape player according to the present invention, anoverrun portion is provided at ends of first to fourth grooves in adisk-like cam so as to urge an elastic body used for a member for eachoperation after the operation.

Thereby, the elastic body used for the member for each operation at theends of the first to fourth grooves in the disk-like cam can be urged bythe overrun portion after the operation.

Alternatively, a tape player according to the present invention includesa disk-like cam, a mode detecting switch to detect each mode of thedisk-like cam, a mode detecting gear provided for the mode detectingswitch to have the same number of teeth as that of teeth of thedisk-like cam, and a transfer gear in which two gears having differentdiameters are coaxially disposed to engage both the disk-like cam andthe mode detecting gear. Further, the two gears having the differentdiameters in the transfer gear have the same number of teeth, and crestsof both the teeth have the same angle.

Thereby, a more compact structure can be provided by coaxially disposingthe two gears having the different diameters in the transfer gearengaging both the one disk-like cam and the mode detecting gear, andsmooth operation can be expected even if the disk-like cam or the modedetecting gear erroneously engages a wrong gear because the gears areidentical in the number of teeth and in the angle of the crest.

Alternatively, a tape player according to the present invention includesa first slide plate moving according to movement of a pin engaging afirst groove provided in a disk-like cam for a cassette carry in/outoperation, a second slide plate connected to the first slide platethrough an elastic body to move in conjunction with movement of thefirst slide plate in the same direction as that of the movement so as tomove a slider for holding a cassette tape in a direction opposed to theabove direction, and a detecting lever engaging the slide plate bymovement of the slide plate during cassette tape carry in operation topress a switch for actuating a motor to carry in the cassette tape.Further, when the slide plate is moved to a predetermined position,engagement between the detecting lever and the second slide plate isreleased, and repulsion of the switch returns the detecting lever to anoriginal position.

Thereby, a more compact apparatus can be provided by directly relatingthe movement of the slide plate to pressing of the switch, andinformation of the switch can be used even in other modes by returningthe detecting lever by the repulsion of the switch at the predeterminedposition of the slide plate.

Alternatively, in a tape player according to the present invention, whena cassette tape is mounted on a reel rest, a side surface of thecassette tape engages a detecting lever to press a switch.

Thereby, a type of the cassette tape can be discriminated by using thedetecting lever.

Alternatively, a tape player according to the present invention includesa first slide plate having a pin engaging a first groove provided in adisk-like cam for a cassette tape carry in/out operation, and a secondslide plate connected to the first slide plate through an elastic bodyto move in conjunction with movement of the first slide plate in thesame direction as that of the movement so as to move a slider forholding a cassette tape in a direction opposed to the above direction.Since a moving distance of the second slide plate is shorter than thatof the first slide plate, the second slide plate is urged by the elasticbody at movement terminal end.

Thereby, a more compact apparatus can be provided by using one disk-likecam, and a stable operation can be realized by applying urging forcebetween the mutual slide plates at the movement terminal end of theslide plate.

Alternatively, a tape player according to the present invention includesa slide plate moving according to movement of a first pin engaging afirst groove provided in a disk-like cam for a cassette tape carryin/out operation so as to move a slider for holding a cassette tape, aholder arm movably supporting the slider, and vertically moving thecassette tape in a holder by engaging a second pin with a guide holeprovided in the slide plate so as to release the cassette tape from areel rest or mount the cassette tape on the reel rest, and an elasticbody whose annular portion is disposed on a convex portion extendingfrom the slide plate, for engaging a first cut-raised portion providedfor the slide plate such that one end extending from the annular portionis disposed on extension of the guide hole, and for engaging a secondcut-raised portion such that the other end applies elastic force to theone end in a direction of the first cut-raised portion. When the slideris moved, the second pin engages the one end of the elastic bodydisposed on extension of the guide hole.

Thereby, a more compact apparatus can be provided by using the onedisk-like cam, and elastic force can be applied to a part of an engagingportion between the slide plate and the holder arm.

Alternatively, a tape player according to the present invention includesa reel pedestal rotated by transferring driving force, a friction memberdisposed on the reel pedestal, a slip gear contacting the frictionmember to transfer driving force to the reel pedestal through thefriction member, an elastic body urging the slip gear in a direction topress the friction member, and a stopper adjustable pressing force ofthe elastic body on the friction member. Further, a mark indicatingpressing force is put on the stopper.

Thereby, operability can be improved by marking the stopper for assemblyof the reel rest.

Alternatively, a tape player according to the present invention includesa reel pedestal rotated by transferring driving force, a friction memberdisposed on the reel pedestal, and a slip gear contacting the frictionmember to transfer driving force to the reel pedestal through thefriction member. Further, a taper portion is provided for the slip gearat a portion contacting the reel pedestal, and lubricant is applied tothe taper portion.

Thereby, the lubricant can be applied after assembling the reelpedestal, the friction member, and the slip gear, and operability can beimproved.

Alternatively, in a tape player according to the present invention, areel rest, a mode detecting switch, and a circuit to detect signals fromthe reel rest and the mode detecting switch are disposed on one base.

Thereby, a more compact apparatus can be provided, and operability canbe improved by disposing the reel rest, the mode detecting switch, andthe circuit to detect the signals from the reel rest and the modedetecting switch on the one base.

Alternatively, in a tape player according to the present invention, aprinted-like wired circuit is mounted on a board to provide a circuit todetect a signal, and when the board is mounted on a base, theprinted-like wired circuit is removed from a periphery of a boardmounting portion provided for the base.

Thereby, operability and reliability of an apparatus can be improved byremoving the printed-like wired circuit from the periphery of the boardmounting portion.

Alternatively, a tape player according to the present invention includesa reel base on which reel rests are disposed, and a main base on whichthe reel base is mounted. Further, hole portions are provided in themain base to pass a cassette tape rewind portion of the reel restpositioned between the reel base and the main base therethrough, andhollow portions are provided at a periphery of the hole portion in themain base to protect gear portions for driving the reel rest.

Thereby, a more compact apparatus can be provided, and entrance of dustor the like into the reel rest can be further reduced by providing thehollow portion for the main base to protect the gear portion of the reelrest.

Alternatively, a tape player according to the present invention includesa reel base having a printed-like wired circuit to transfer a signalfrom a reel rest or a mode detecting switch, a main base on which thereel base is mounted, and a belt disposed on a reel base mountingsurface of the main base to transfer driving force to flywheels.Further, a guide portion is provided for a part of the reel base so asnot to contact a part of the printed-like wired circuit derived from thereel base in a direction of the main base with the belt.

Thereby, reliability of an apparatus can be improved by providing theguide portion so as not to contact the printed-like wired circuitderived from the reel base to the main base with the belt fortransferring the driving force to the flywheel.

Alternatively, in a tape player according to the present invention, aswitch is disposed on a guide portion to discriminate a cassette tape.

Thereby, a space can be more reduced, and a more compact apparatus canbe provided by disposing the switch on the guide portion.

Alternatively, a tape player according to the present invention includesa head base on which a head is mounted for recording and playback of acassette tape, an elastic body disposed on the head base, and a leverhaving one end engaging a groove provided in a disk-like cam for movingthe head base, and the other end engaging the head base directly orthrough the elastic body. When the cassette tape is carried in orcarried out, the other end of the lever directly engages and presses thehead base to urge the head base in a direction to move the head apartfrom the mounted cassette tape. When the tape is played back, the otherend of the lever urges the head base through the elastic body in adirection to press onto the mounted cassette tape.

Thereby, reliability of an apparatus can be improved by driving the headbase through the elastic body, and continuously urging the head base byelastic force.

Alternatively, in a tape player according to the present invention, whena cassette tape is carried in or carried out, the other end of a leverdirectly engages and presses a head base, and an elastic bodyconcurrently engages the other end of the lever to press in a directionopposed to the pressing direction.

Thereby, when the cassette tape is carried in or carried out, the headbase can be pressed by the other end of the lever directly engaging thehead base, and the elastic body can concurrently be pressed in thedirection opposed to the pressing direction by engaging the other end ofthe lever.

Alternatively, in a tape player according to the present invention, infour operations including a cassette tape carry in/out operation, a headbase moving operation, a playback running direction switching operation,and a selective operation to transfer driving force to a cassette tapedriving mechanism during fast forward, the operations are performedaccording to rotation of a disk-like cam from a starting point in thefollowing order: a cassette tape take-in and cassette tape mounted tocassette tape driving mechanism mode; a tape L direction fast forwardmode; a tape R direction playback mode; a tape L direction playbackmode; and a tape R direction fast forward mode. Further, a distancebetween a head and a tape in the tape L direction fast forward mode islonger than that between the head and the tape in the R direction fastforward mode.

Thereby, it is possible to avoid collision of the cassette tape with thehead generated during loading, and improve reliability of an apparatusby providing a longer distance between the head and the tape in the tapeL direction fast forward mode than the distance between the head and thetape in the R direction fast forward mode.

Alternatively, in a tape player according to the present invention, athickness removed portion is provided for a lever having one endengaging a groove provided in a disk-like cam for a selective operationto transfer driving force to a cassette tape driving mechanism for tapefast forward, and the other end including a gear idler which engages aflywheel.

Thereby, the lever can be protected from forced engagement between theflywheel and the gear idler, and reliability of an apparatus can beimproved by providing the thickness removed portion for the leverincluding the one end engaging the groove in the disk-like cam and theother end including the gear idler engages the flywheel.

Alternatively, a tape player according to the present invention includesa cassette holder for holding a cassette tape, and a holder armpositioned to be coplanar with the cassette holder when a cassette isinserted into the cassette holder, for providing a predetermined angleat a connecting portion of the holder arm and the cassette holder whenthe cassette tape is moved to a position to be mounted on a cassettetape driving mechanism. Further, an elastic member urges in a directionin which the holder arm and the cassette holder are coplanar with eachother.

Thereby, the cassette tape can be prevented from being removed beforemounting the cassette tape onto a cassette tape driving apparatus, andreliability of an apparatus can be improved by the elastic member urgingin the direction in which the holder arm and the cassette holder arecoplanar with each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall construction of oneembodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an assembling diagram of the embodiment according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is an assembling diagram of the embodiment according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is an assembling diagram showing an embodiment of a side baseunit according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an assembling diagram showing an embodiment of a cassetteholder periphery according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an assembling diagram of the embodiment according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view for illustrating an embodiment of aplayback running direction switching mechanism according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is an assembling diagram of the embodiment according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 is an assembling diagram of the embodiment according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 is an assembling diagram showing an embodiment of a reel restperipheral mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an assembling diagram showing the embodiment of the reel restaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of a stopperaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the embodiment of the reel rest according tothe present invention.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing an embodiment of an FPC according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged diagram showing an embodiment of an FPC hookaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an assembling diagram showing attachment of an embodiment ofa power motor according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a first surface of a camgear according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a second surface of acam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a transition diagram illustrating transition of operation inthe embodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 20(a), FIG. 20(b) and FIG. 20(c) are explanatory views forexplaining the operation in the embodiment of the cam gear according tothe present invention.

FIG. 21(a), FIG. 21(b) and FIG. 21(c) are explanatory views forexplaining the operation in the embodiment of the cam gear according tothe present invention.

FIG. 22(a), FIG. 22(b) and FIG. 22(c) are explanatory views forexplaining the operation in the embodiment of the cam gear according tothe present invention.

FIG. 23(a), FIG. 23(b) and FIG. 23(c) are explanatory views forexplanatory view for explaining the operation in the embodiment of thecam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 24(a), FIG. 24(b) and FIG. 24(c) are explanatory views forexplaining the operation in the embodiment of the cam gear according tothe present invention.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a partial side view showing the embodiment of the playbackrunning direction switching mechanism according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 36 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 37 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 38 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 39 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 40 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 41 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 42 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 43 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 44 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 45 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 46 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 47 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 48 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 49 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation in theembodiment of the cam gear according to the present invention.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing a series of operation proceeding from EJmode to PL mode in the embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 51 is a diagram showing mode transition in the embodiment accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 52 is an explanatory view for explaining an embodiment of a mountedspring according to the present invention.

FIG. 53 is an explanatory view for explaining the embodiment of themounted spring according to the present invention.

FIG. 54 is an explanatory view for explaining the embodiment of themounted spring according to the present invention.

FIG. 55 is an explanatory view for explaining an embodiment of a mountedholder arm according to the present invention.

FIG. 56 is an explanatory view for explaining the embodiment of themounted spring according to the present invention.

FIG. 57 is a plan view showing another embodiment of a tape playeraccording to the present invention.

FIG. 58 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a slider portion accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 59 is a sectional view of a cam device in a conventional tapeplayer.

FIG. 60 is an explanatory view for illustrating operations of the camdevices in the conventional tape player.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A description will now be given of preferred embodiments of a tapeplayer according to the present invention with reference to thedrawings. FIG. 1 is a view showing an overall construction of oneembodiment of the tape player according to the present invention. Inview of mechanism, the tape player can be divided into six majorsections: a cassette carry in/out mechanism, a playback runningdirection switching mechanism, a head driving mechanism, reel rests andreel rests peripheral mechanism including a cam gear for control ofmechanical operation, a reel rest driving force transmission mechanism,and a power motor peripheral mechanism. Descriptions will besequentially given of structures of the respective mechanisms.

[CASSETTE CARRY IN/OUT MECHANISM]

The cassette carry in/out mechanism includes a side base unit 2, abracket 3, a cassette holder 44, and a holder arm 46 which are mountedto a main base 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[SIDE BASE UNIT 2]

As shown in FIG. 2, the side base unit 2 is mounted onto the main base 1on the side of a main motor 5 opposed to the side including a head 4. Asshown in FIG. 4, in the structure, a pin 7, cut-raised portions 8 and 9mounted on the side base 6 are inserted with a tilt angle into guideholes 11, 12, and 13 provided in a slide plate 10. Consequently, theslide plate 10 is slidable in a direction of the arrow A or of the arrowE in the drawing. At this time, the pin 7 is mounted on a planeperpendicular to the cut-raised portions 8 and 9 to restrict the slideplate 10 so as not to move in a direction of the arrow P from the sidebase 6. As a result, it is possible to reduce chattering caused when theslide plate 10 is slid. Further, since the slide plate 10 is insertedwith the tilt angle, the slide plate 10 never drops off the side base 6in a normal sliding operation, thereby eliminating the need for clampingparts. In addition, cut-raised portions 14, 15, and 16 of the slideplate 10 are inserted into a guide hole 18, a notch 19, and a guide hole20 which are provided in a slide plate 17. Thus, the slide plate 17 issimilarly slidable in the direction of the arrow A or of the arrow E inthe drawing. The side base 6, the slide plate 10 and the slide plate 17are assembled according to the procedure as set forth above. Thereafter,one end of a spring 21 is anchored to a cut-raised portion 22 of theslide plate 10 and a cut-raised portion 23 of the slide plate 17, andthe other end is anchored to a cut-raised portion 24 of the slide plate10 and a cut-raised portion 25 of the slide plate 17. Therefore, theslide plate 10 and the slide plate 17 can be integrally mounted andmoved together by clamping force of the spring 21. Further, therespective slide plates 10 and 17 can not be slid to positions at a timeof insertion, and can be prevented from dropping out. Since the twoslide plates 10 and 17 are mounted to the side base 6 in such astructure, it is possible to surely mount without the clamping partssuch as retaining ring.

Additionally, an annular portion of the spring 27 is inserted into acut-raised portion 10a of the slide plate 10 (see FIG. 52), andsubsequently the spring 27 is put in a temporarily stationary stateduring assembly. That is, one spring arm portion 27b is rotatedclockwise to move past a folded portion 29 provided for the slide plate10 while bending the spring arm portion 27b. As the spring 27 is morerotated clockwise, the other spring arm portion 27a is more insertedinto a groove portion 28a of a cut-raised portion 28. Thus, the otherspring arm portion 27a is never released in a direction opposed to aninsertion direction of the cut-raised portion 10a of the spring 27 (seeFIG. 53). In the temporarily stationary state of the spring 27, thespring 27 can be freely rotated about the cut-raised portion 10a in acounterclockwise range in which the spring arm portion 27b can contactthe folded portion 29, and in a clockwise range in which the spring 27acan contact the cut-raised portion 28. Effects of the temporarilystationary state of the spring 27 will be discussed in the followingdescription concerning to the cassette holder 44, and the holder arm 46.

After the assembly, the arm portions 27a and 27b of the spring 27 engagethe cut-raised portion 28 and the cut-raised portion 14. Thus, the armportions 27a and 27b of the spring 27 urge the cut-raised portions 28and 14 in a direction of the arrow B in the drawing (see FIG. 54).Effects thereof will be discussed in the following descriptionconcerning to a cassette carry in/out operation.

The slide plate 17 is provided with a pin 31 to engage a first groove139 (see FIG. 17) in a cam gear 30 (see FIG. 9) mounted to a backportion of the main base 1.

The side base unit 2 is fixed onto the main base 1 by screws. In orderto position the side base unit 2 at the time of screwing, as shown inFIG. 2, both sides of the main base 1 are provided with groove portions32a and 32b having inclined portions which become narrower in aninsertion direction, and having portions extending parallel to theinsertion direction in the vicinity of bottoms thereof. Then, the sidebase 6 can be temporarily positioned at the portions (see FIG. 55).

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the side base 6 is provided with a convexportion 6a extending in a direction perpendicular to and in a directionparallel to a cassette inserting direction on the side of the cassetteholder 44. Consequently, the convex portion 6a serves as a restrictingportion to prevent the cassette holder 44 from largely moving in a leftdirection with respect to the cassette inserting direction.

[BRACKET 3]

The bracket 3 has a shape as shown in FIG. 3, and is positioned on theside of the main base 1 on which head 4 is mounted, and is positionedabove the head 4 to be fixed by screws at pivotal shaft edges 34a and34b of pinch arms 33a and 33b. In such a structure, even if the pincharms 33a and 33b are deviated from correct positions toward the side ofthe bracket 3, the pinch arms are never deviated from the correctpositions exceeding positions at which the bracket 3 is mounted. Inorder to secure the positions used at a time of screwing, a convexportion 36 is provided for a printed board mounting portion 35 upwardextending from the main base 1 at a side portion of the main base 1, andthe convex portion 36 is inserted into a hole portion 37 in the bracket3 with some degree of clearance. Concurrently, a convex portion 38provided for the bracket 3 is fitted into a concave portion provided inthe printed board mounting portion 35.

A printed board is mounted on the bracket 3, or a drive mechanism ismounted to the bracket 3 because the head 4 must be rotated by 180degrees when a digital compact cassette (hereinafter referred to as DCC)is inserted. A structure of a tape player fitting for DCC will bediscussed in another embodiment. A hole portion 40 is provided in thebracket 3 at a portion above the head 4 so as to connect a flexibleprint circuit (hereinafter referred to as FPC) 39 for transmittingoutput from the head 4 with the printed board at the minimum distance. Afolded portion 41 is provided so as to avoid damage of the FPC 39 evenif the FPC 39 contacts an edge of the hole portion 40.

The cassette holder 44 contacts folded portions 42 and 43 to restrict anamount of rise of the cassette holder 44 during a cassette carrying outoperation so as to provide a correct ejecting position of the cassettetape. Further, it is possible to avoid deformation due to an excessiverise of the cassette holder 44 even if the cassette holder 44 isdirectly caught (when the tape player is carried by hand).

In addition, the folded portion 45 prevents the holder arm 46 fromdropping off a holder arm mounting hole 47 provided in the printed boardmounting portion 35.

The cassette holder 44 merely engages the holder arm 46 at two points Xand Y and at a convex portion 48 (see FIG. 5) so that the cassetteholder 44 may be horizontally deviated from a correct position by anamount of chattering when the cassette is carried in or carried out. Atthis time, convex portions 49 and 50 provided for the bracket 3 serve asrestricting portions to restrict the cassette holder 44 so as not toexcessively move in a right direction with respect to the cassetteinserting direction.

A folded portion 6b is provided at a back portion of the bracket 3 tocontact a folded portion 74a of a head base 74. It is thereby possibleto restrict movement of the head base 74 in a direction q due to, forexample, dropping impact of an apparatus (see FIG. 33).

[CASSETTE HOLDER 44, AND HOLDER ARM 46]

As shown in FIG. 5, the cassette holder 44 and the holder arm 46 onlyengage one another at the two points X and Y and at the convex portion48 as set forth above, and are not fixed by, for example, screws. Aslider 52 engages a hole portion 51 in the holder arm 46 to be slid byusing the hole portion 51 as guide. At this time, in order to avoidburrs of a sheet metal around the hole portion 51, a thickness of acorner portion contacting the sheet metal around the hole portion isremoved from the slider 52. The slider 52 has a convex portion 55engaging a hole portion 54 of an ejector 53 (see FIG. 3), and theejector 53 is rotated about the pin 7 (see FIG. 4). A convex portion 56provided for a slide plate 10 engages a hole portion 57 in the ejector53 such that the ejector 53 can be rotated in combination with movementof the slide plate 10. A pin 59 extends from a side portion of theholder arm 46 to be inserted into a hole portion 58 provided in the sidebase 6 of the bracket 2. A lower portion of the pin 59 is positioned onthe spring 27 at a cassette tape inserting position, and force of thespring urges the holder arm 46 in the direction of the arrow B. However,as set forth above, the folded portions 42, 43 of the bracket 3, and thefolded portion 6c of the side base 6 push down a stage upper portion 60of the cassette holder 44 so that the cassette holder 44 never risesunnecessarily.

The stage upper portion 60 is pushed down because another cassetteholder used for the DCC also employs the folded portions 42, 43, and 6cas stoppers in spite of a different position of a stage portion 61. Inorder to improve an operational efficiency when the holder arm 46 isrotatably mounted to the side base 6, and the main base 1, the pins 59,62, and 63 extending from the holder arm 46 are set to become higher inthe order of the pin 63, the pin 62, and the pin 59. Thereby, the pinsare sequentially inserted at a built-in time, and two of them are neverinserted concurrently. Further, as shown in FIG. 55, the side base 6 isprovided with a folded portion 66, at a time of inserting the pins, anotch in the holder arm 46 is guided onto an upper end surface of thefolded portion 66 so as to support the holder arm 46 thereon. Thereby,the side base 6 can be easily built into the holder arm 46.

When the pin 59 is inserted into the slide plate 10, the spring 27 isput in the temporarily stationary state as set forth above. It isthereby possible to smoothly insert the pin 59 without urging force bythe spring arm 27a.

In addition, it is necessary to avoid deformation of the cassette holder44 at a cassette ejecting position due to pressure on the stage upperportion 60, and avoid incapability of insertion of the cassette tapeinto the cassette holder 44. For this purpose, when the stage upperportion 60 is pressed, force is transferred to the holder arm 46combined with the cassette holder 44 so as to rotate the holder arm 46in a cassette mounting direction about the pins 62 and 63 serving asrotary axes. The pin 59 extending from a side surface of the holder armbends the spring 27a counterclockwise against the urging force of thearm portion 27a to absorb force to press the stage upper portion 60 (seeFIG. 56).

[PLAYBACK RUNNING DIRECTION SWITCHING MECHANISM]

FIG. 6 is an assembling diagram of the playback running directionswitching mechanism. In the drawing, a pin 65 is provided at an end of alever 64 to engage a second groove 140 (see FIG. 17) in the cam gear 30(see FIG. 9), and is rotated about a shaft 66 according to movement ofthe cam gear 30. A hole portion 67 is provided in and a claw portion 68is provided at the other end of the lever 64. The claw portion 68engages a hole portion 69 provided in the main base 1 to prevent thelever 64 from floating. The lever 64 engages the claw portion 68 with alower side of the main base 1 (see FIG. 9), and the lever 64 on the sideof the pin 65 is pushed down by the head base 74 to avoid verticalchattering and dropping. A convex portion 71 provided for a switchingarm 70 engages the hole portion 67, and the switching arm 70 is rotatedabout a convex portion 72 in conjunction with rotation of the lever 64.

Further, the convex portion engages a head base hole 75d (see FIG. 25)to move in conjunction with movement of a head base 75. Claw portions73a, 73b provided for the switching arm 70 are inserted into holeportions 75a, 75b in the head base 74. Thereafter, the claw portions73a, 73b engage the spring 76 at portions 77a, 77b, a rotary supportingpoint 77c of the spring 76 is inserted into a head base notch 75c, andthe spring 76 engages the head base notch 75c, the claw portions 73a,73b with pressure at the three points. Therefore, the switching arm 70positioned between the head base 74 and the main base 1 is inclined in adirection of the arrow L to push up the head base 74 so as to preventthe head base 74 from chattering (see FIG. 33). As shown in FIG. 7, theends 77a, 77b of the spring 76 engage claw notches 79a, 79b of the pincharms 33a, 33b. The pinch arms 33a, 33b are rotated about shafts 80a,80b, and pinch rollers 82a, 82b are rotated about pins 81a, 81b. Ends ofthe pins 81a, 81b engage hole portions 84a, 84b of gear arms 83a, 83b.Gear idlers 840a, 840b (see FIG. 8) are mounted to the gear arms 83a,83b to transfer rotary force of flywheels to the reel rests. A sequenceof link mechanisms as described above can select a combination of thepinch roller 82a and the gear idler 840a, or a combination of the pinchroller 82b and the gear idler 840b in conjunction with movement of thecam gear 30. A sequence of operation will be described below.

In FIG. 7, in order to reduce load when the head base 74 is moved, thespring 76 applies no force to the pinch arms 33a, 33b except a casewhere the spring 76 secures the pinch arms 33a, 33b to capstans 85a, 85bwith pressure. Hence, the pinch arms 33a, 33b may cause chattering ifthe pinch arms 33a, 33b are not secured to the capstans 85a, 85b withpressure. Then, a spring 86 is interposed between the gear arms 83a, 83bto clockwise urge the gear arm 83a, and a hole portion 84a in the geararm 83a engages the pin 81a to press the pinch arm 33a. Further, thegear arm 83b is urged counterclockwise, and a hole portion 84b in thegear arm 83b engages the pin 81b to press the pinch arm 33b, resultingin no chattering.

[HEAD DRIVING MECHANISM]

A description will now be given of a structure of the head drivingmechanism with reference to FIGS. 6 and 9.

A convex portion 88 extending from one end of a driving lever 87 engagesa third groove 141 in the cam gear 30 (see FIG. 18). A claw portion 89is provided at the other end of the driving lever 87, and the clawportion 89 engages a hole end 74a of the head base 74 when the cassettetape is carried in and carried out so as to urge the head base 74 in adirection of the arrow C, that is, in a direction to move the head 4apart from the mounted cassette tape. An annular portion 90d of a spring90 anchors a head base folded portion 74b, and a spring distal end 90canchors a head base folded portion 74d. At a time of playback, the clawportion 89 directly presses a spring portion 90a to urge the head base74 through the spring 90 in a direction of the arrow D in FIG. 6, thatis, in a direction to press the head 4 onto the mounted cassette tape.When the cassette tape is carried in or carried out, the spring 90engages a spring edge 90b with a claw portion 91 of the main base 1 topress the head base 74 in a direction opposed to the direction pressedby the claw portion 89 (i.e., in the direction of the arrow D in FIG.6).

The head base 74 is vertically restricted by notches 80c, 80d, 1001 inposts 80a, 80b, 1000, and is further restricted in a downward directionby cut-raised portions 92 on the main base 1, and restricted in anupward direction by a lower portion 92a. The head base 74 moves so asnot to prevent rotary operation of the switching arm 70, a detectinglever 148, the lever 64, and the gear arms 83a, 83b which are directlydisposed on the main base 1 and are positioned between the head base 74and the main base 1.

[REEL REST PERIPHERAL MECHANISM]

FIG. 10 is an assembling diagram showing reel rests and its peripheralportion. As shown in FIG. 11, in reel rest lower portions 93a, 93b, afelt 95 is disposed on an annular portion of a reel pedestal 94, andonto the felt, a slip gear 96, and a spring 97 are sequentially disposedto pass a shaft portion of the reel pedestal 94 therethrough. A convexportion 100 provided for the reel pedestal 94 is fitted into a notch 99provided in a stopper 98 (see FIG. 12), and thereafter the stopper 98 isrotated to engage the convex portion 100 with any one of groove portions101, 102, and 103 having different heights. Thereby, it is possible tochange force of the spring 97 pressing the slip gear 96 so as to adjusttorque. As shown in FIG. 12, in the stopper 98, marks 104 are put on aportion indicating the most highest groove portion so as to recognizedifferent heights at a glance. Further, since the slip gear 96 and thereel pedestal 94 are rotated according to the different numbers ofrevolutions, lubricant such as grease is applied to a portion where twoof them contact one another.

Conventionally, the grease is directly applied to the portion where theslip gear 96 contacts the reel pedestal 94 for assembly. However, in theassembly, the applied grease may flow onto a back surface of the slipgear 96, and may enter a gap between the felt 95 and the slip gear 96.As a result, there is a drawback in that variation may occur in torqueof the assembled reel rest. Hence, as shown in FIG. 13, the slip gear 96is provided with a taper portion 105, and the grease can be applied tothe taper portion 105 after the assembly.

The reel rest lower portions 93a, 93b are disposed to pass shafts 107a,107b of the reel base 106 therethrough, and coil springs 108a and 108b,reel keys 109a and 109b are subsequently disposed to pass the shaftstherethrough, thereafter fixing by washers 110a, 110b to form the reelrest. Further, the reel base 106 is provided with a mode detectingswitch 111 to detect a mode of the cam gear 30, and an FPC 112 totransmit a signal detected in the mode detecting switch 111. Areinforcing plate 112a is applied to a back surface of the FPC 112. Asshown in FIG. 14, the FPC 112 is provided with a switch 113 to, forexample, actuate a cassette carry in/out mechanism, and a sensor 114 todetect rotation of the reel pedestal 94. These detected signals are alsotransmitted by the FPC on the reinforcing plate. Apart from a connectorportion, a test land is mounted to the FPC 112 at a portion to which thetest land can be directly connected from an upper direction afterassembling the FPC 112, the reel rest lower portions 93a, 93b, and themode detecting switch 111 on the reel base 106 so as to concurrentlyperform entire detection of the mode detecting switch 111, the switch113, and the sensor 114, resulting in an easy-check structure.

In order to mount the FPC 112 onto the reel base 106, as shown in FIG.15, the reel base 106 is cut and raised, and one end thereof is cut awayfrom the reel base to provide folded convex portions 115. The one end isfurther bent to form a reinforcing plate pressing portion 116. Theconvex portion 115 is inserted into a hole portion in the reinforcingplate 112a, and the reinforcing plate 112a is pushed down by thereinforcing plate pressing portion 116 when the reinforcing plate 112ais inserted with pressure. In this case, the reinforcing plate pressingportion 116 may turn up the FPC of the reinforcing plate, resulting indamage to reliability of the FPC. Hence, the FPC around the reinforcingplate pressing portion 116 is removed from the reinforcing plate 112a.

After mounting the reel rest, the FPC 112, and the mode detecting switch111, the reel base 106 is screwed from a back surface of the mainbase 1. Hole portions 116 (see FIG. 6) are provided in the main base 1to externally expose reel rest portions. When the reel base 106 ismounted in case the hole portion 116 has a smaller diameter than that ofthe slip gear 96 reaching a teeth portion due to restriction on a heightdirection of an apparatus itself, the teeth portion contacts the mainbase. In case a diameter of the hole portion is formed to expose theteeth portion of the slip gear 96 so as to avoid the contact, a tapeoperation in this state may possibly cause jamming of the teeth portiondue to dust and so forth. In order to prevent the jamming,conventionally, a cover sheet metal is mounted around the gear from thefront side of the main base 1, or the main base 1 is directly bent toform a cover structure. However, additional parts such as sheet metal,and mounting screws are required to mount the cover sheet metal, and themain base 1 folded at the reel rest mounting portion applies excessiveforce to the main base, resulting in problems of distortion of the mainbase 1 itself after folding, and so forth. Hence, a half blanking 117 isprovided around the hole portion 106, thereby relieving the main base 1from the teeth portion of the slip gear 96.

As shown in FIG. 9, the reel base 106 is provided with a stage portion119 such that, when the reel base 106 is mounted to the main base 1,movement of the FPC can be restricted by interposing an FPC portion 118which is not supported by the reinforcing plate 112a between the twobases. It is thereby possible to prevent the FPC portion 118 fromcontacting a belt 122 passing above the stage portion 119 shown in FIG.8 to transfer driving force from the main motor 5 to flywheels 121.Further, a discriminating switch can be mounted on the stage portion 119to discriminate the DCC from the cassette tape.

[REEL REST DRIVING FORCE TRANSMISSION MECHANISM FOR TAPE FAST FORWARD]

As shown in FIG. 9, a convex portion 123 engaging a fourth groove 142(see FIG. 18) of the cam gear 30 is disposed at an end of a switchingarm 124, and the switching arm 124 is mounted on the back surface of themain base 1 to be rotatable about a pin 125. An idler gear 126 isrotatably mounted at the other end of the switching arm 124. The idlergear 126 is positioned by the operation of the cam gear 30 during tapefast forward at a position for transferring rotary force of the flywheel121 to the reel rest. A thickness removed portion 127 is provided forthe switching arm 124 to avoid deformation of the arm or gear lockgenerated when the flywheel 121 and the reel rest contact a crest of thegear.

[POWER MOTOR PERIPHERAL MECHANISM]

FIG. 16 is an assembling diagram showing a peripheral portion of a powermotor 120 to rotate the cam gear 30.

A power motor mounting base 128 includes a galvanized sheet iron whichcan not easily be soldered. Consequently, in order to solder a lead wireto a bent portion 129, when the bent portion 129 is formed, a platedsurface is removed by strongly scrubbing at a time of press processing.In order to more easily pass a motor rotary shaft through a gear 130under pressure, a hole is provided in a side surface of a gear distalend to serve as an air vent. However, a convex portion 131 having asmooth distal end remains to engage a bent portion 128a when mountingthe gear so as to receive thrust force. Further, in order to improveoperability at a time of mounting the mounting base 128 onto the mainbase 1 as shown in FIG. 2, a pin 135 is initially inserted into a holeportion 134, and a convex portion 132 is subsequently inserted into ahole portion 133. Thereafter, pins 136 and 137 engage holes provided ina back portion of the mounting base so that the pin 135 and the convexportion 132 are not inserted concurrently.

[DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION OF EACH MECHANISM]

A description will now be given of the operation of each mechanism inthe tape player structured as set forth above in each mode state foreach operation corresponding to the grooves in the cam gear 30.

The cam gear 30 will be described in order to illustrate "the operationcorresponding to the grooves in the cam gear 30," and "each mode state."As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, grooves are provided in both front and backsurfaces of the cam gear 30, and the respective grooves have differentwidths according to diameters of the pins so as to prevent the pin fromerroneously entering a wrong groove. Further, in order to avoiddeformation generated when the cam gear 30 is formed, many thicknessremoved grooves are provided as well as the above grooves so as toprovide a uniform thickness for an entire cam. Ribs 138 extend in anormal direction of the gear so as to prevent the pin from entering thethickness removed grooves during assembly, resulting in easydiscrimination between the groove and the thickness removed groove. Therespective grooves can control four operations, that is, the firstgroove 139 controls a cassette tape carry in/out operation, the secondgroove 140 controls a playback running direction switching operation,the third groove 141 controls a head driving operation, and the fourthgroove 142 controls a selective operation to transfer driving force tothe reel rest during fast forward. Directions of the arrows shown inFIG. 25 are respectively defined as a tape running L direction and atape running R direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cam gear 30 transfers driving force of the powermotor 120 through a gear 143, a gear 144, and a gear 145. Further, asshown in FIG. 19, the above four operations can be smoothly controlledby eight modes including, in the order in which an angle of rotationbecomes larger, EJECT mode (hereinafter referred to as EJ mode), STOPmode (hereinafter referred to as STP mode), fast forward L directionmode (hereinafter referred to as FL mode), random access fast forward Ldirection mode (hereinafter referred to as AL mode), R-PLAY mode(hereinafter referred to as RP mode), L-PLAY mode (hereinafter referredto as LP mode), random access fast forward R direction mode (hereinafterreferred to as AR mode), and fast forward R direction mode (hereinafterreferred to as FR mode). In addition, since only one cam gear isprovided, the modes can not be jumped to another mode. That is, when theoperation proceeds from the FL mode to the FR mode, the target mode cannot be reached before momentarily transition of the AL mode, the RPmode, the LP mode, and the AR mode serving as the modes in the course ofthe proceeding operation.

Another mode is set as an assembling use only mode in which no load isapplied to all the four operations set forth above during the operationproceeding from the EJ mode to the STP mode. During assembly, the gearis positioned to the mode to facilitate the assembly. In the assemblingmode, a rib 138a of the cam gear 30 is positioned at the same positionas that of a hole 1a (see FIG. 2) in the main base. Further, since thesecond groove 140 has a narrower groove width than that of the firstgroove 139 so as to prevent the pin 31 from entering grooves other thanthe first groove 139 when mounting the side base unit 2.

The cam gear 30 has the same number of teeth as the number of teeth of amode detecting gear 111a provided for a mode detecting switch 111 so asto facilitate engagement of the gears, resulting in easier assembly. Themode detecting gear 111a has a smaller module than that of the cam gear30 to make the mode detecting gear 111a smaller. Further, in a gear 145engaging both of the cam gear 30 and the mode detecting gear 111a, amiddle gear 145a engaging the cam gear 30 has the same number of teethas that of teeth of a small gear 145b engaging the mode detecting gear111a. Concurrently, the middle gear 145a and the small gear 145b havecrests of teeth including the same angle. Thus, even if the middle gear145a and the small gear 145b have different modules, and gears havingthe different modules engage one another, no problem occurs in rotation.The cam gear 30 is positioned at an initial state with respect to themain base 1 by passing a pin through holes which are provided in the camgear 30, the main base 1, and the reel base 106 at a common position.Further, the mode detecting gear is positioned at an initial state by,for example, passing a pin through holes (which may be a concave portionin the mode detecting gear) which are provided in the mode detectinggear, and the reel base at a common position. The gear 145 is thereafterinserted to prevent the cam gear 30 and the mode detecting gear 111afrom being deviated from the correct positions.

[CASSETTE TAPE CARRY IN/OUT OPERATION]

FIGS. 20(a) to 24(c) show a state in which the pin 31 extending theslide plate 17 moves along the first groove 139 of the cam gear byrotation of the cam gear 30 for each mode, and show how the side baseunit 2 and the cassette holder 44 are actuated by the movement of thepin. A description will now be given for each mode.

* EJ mode (FIGS. 20(a)-(c))

The drawing shows a state before the cassette tape is inserted into thetape player. The pin 31 is positioned at a position 139a of the firstgroove 139. The pin 59 extends from a side portion of the holder arm 46to pass through the side base hole portion 58, and is positioned abovethe arm portion 27a of the spring 27 to urge the holder arm 46 in anupper direction of the apparatus.

In the EJ mode, stopper portions 52a of the slider 52 contact one end51a of an elongated hole in the holder arm 46, the ejector 53 can not berotated clockwise, and the slide plate 10 can not move in the directionof the arrow E since the convex portion 56 contacts the hole portion 57in the ejector 53. However, the slide plate 17 is stopped whileextending the spring 21 at a position slightly moved in the direction ofthe arrow E. Consequently, elasticity of the spring 21 is applied to thecut-raised portion 24 of the slide plate 10, and is transferred from theconvex portion 56 through the ejector 53 to the slider 52 so as toprovide urging force to press the one end 51a of the elongated hole 51in the arm 46.

* From a time of inserting the cassette tape to ON time of switch 113(FIGS. 20(a)-21(c))

When the cassette tape is inserted into the cassette holder 44, atake-up hole of the cassette hole engages a claw portion 146 (see FIG.5) of the slider 52 (see FIG. 20). When the cassette tape is furtherpushed in, the slider 52 is pushed in along a guide of the hole portion51. In conjunction with the movement of the slider 52, the convexportion 55 of the slider 52 rotates the ejector 53 about the pin 7through the guide hole 54 in the ejector 53. Concurrently, the rotaryforce moves the slide plate 10 in the direction of the arrow A, fromwhich the convex portion 56 extends to engage the hole portion 57 in theejector 53. A distal end 147 of the slide plate 10 engages an end 149 ofthe detecting lever 148 (see FIG. 6) to turn ON the switch 113. The end149 is bent in an upper direction perpendicular to the main base 1, andthe distal end 147 of the slide plate 10 engages a portion between thebent portion and the slide base 6. The slide plate 10 moves in thedirection of the arrow A to rotate the end 149 of the detecting lever148 to be pushed and opened in a direction of the arrow F. Thus, thedetecting lever is rotated about a shaft 150 in a direction of the arrowG as a whole. The lever end is actuated by the rotation to turn ON theswitch 113. Though the slide plate 10 moves in the direction of thearrow A, the pin 31 is inserted into the first groove 139 in the camgear 30, and the cam gear is stopped. Therefore, the slide plate 17 cannot move, and the spring 21 is in an extended state.

* From ON time of switch 113 to STP mode (FIGS. 21(a) to 23(c))

When the switch 113 is turned ON, the power motor 120 is started, androtary force of the power motor 120 rotates the cam gear 30counterclockwise to move the pin 31 along the first groove 139. Thereby,the slide plate 17 is moved, and the slide plate 10 coupled with theslide plate 17 by the spring 21 is also moved integrally with the slideplate 17. When the slider 52 reaches a termination of the hole portion51, the rotation of the ejector 53 is stopped. Thereafter, the pin 62moves along a diagonal guide portion 151 provided in the slide plate 10.The movement rotates the holder arm 46 about the pin 62 in a directionof the arrow H (see FIGS. 23(a)-(c)). In the operation in conjunctiontherewith, engaging portions X, Y of the holder arm 46 and the cassetteholder 44 are bent to move the cassette tape in a vertically downwarddirection, and the tape take-up hole is fitted into the reel rest,resulting in the cassette tape mounted at a cassette mounting position.While the slide plate 10 is moved, the end 149 of the detecting lever isin a state to be rotated in a thickness F direction of the slide plate10. At a position immediately before mounting the cassette tape at thecassette mounting position, an engaging portion between the slide plate10 and the detecting lever end 149 is notched (see a notch 152 in FIG.20). Therefore, engagement between the slide plate 10 and the detectinglever end 149 is released, and the detecting lever 148 is pressed backto an original position (a position at a time of EJECT) by springpressure of the switch 113, resulting in OFF.

However, the cassette tape mounted at the cassette mounting position maybe a tape cassette which is neither a high position tape nor a metaltape. In this case, since a tape side portion is present, the detectinglever 148 can not be returned to the position at the time of EJECT,thereby holding an ON state of the switch 113. In the metal and highposition tapes, a hole portion is provided in the tape side portion, andthe detecting lever 148 enters the hole, thereby returning the switch113 to an OFF state. Thus, it is possible to detect whether the tape isthe metal and high position tapes or a normal tape. Here, the switch 113serves as a starting switch of the power motor 120, and also serves as acassette type discriminating switch. The switch 113 is switched over bya microcomputer according to each mode of the mode detecting switch 111.At a time of completion of the cassette tape carry in/out operation,that is, from the STP mode to mode having a large angle of rotation,even after the slide plate 10 is stopped at the guide terminal end, thepin 31 engaging the first groove portion 139 in the cam gear 30 is movedto move the slide plate 17 by a distance which is slightly longer than alength to the guide terminal end of the slide plate 10 so as to stop theslide plate 17 after the movement. The position of the slide plate 17 isfixed by the first groove 139 in the cam gear 30 so that elastic forceof the spring 21 provides preload in a direction A for the slide plate10. Consequently, the preload is transferred to the pin 59 through thediagonal cam groove 151 so as to provide urging force to the holder arm46 in the direction of the arrow H (see FIGS. 23(a)-(c)), therebyholding the cassette tape at the cassette mounting position.

* From STP mode to FR mode (FIGS. 23(a)-(c) and 24(a)-(c))

The cassette carry in operation is ended when the cassette tape ismounted at the cassette mounting position. Since other operations arecontrolled by the rotation of the cam gear 30, the first groove 139 ispositioned to have the same radius from a center of the cam gear 30 soas not to move the pin 31 in the FR and earlier modes.

[CASSETTE CARRY OUT OPERATION]

A cassette carry out operation is reverse to the above operation.

[PLAYBACK RUNNING DIRECTION SWITCHING OPERATION]

FIGS. 25 to 32 are diagrams showing the operation of the playbackrunning direction switching mechanism in each mode.

* From EJ mode to AR mode (FIGS. 25 to 28)

From the EJ mode to the AR mode, there is no operation because aplayback running direction is switched. Hence, the pin 65 moves in thesecond groove 140 at a position having the same diameter from the centerof the cam gear 30.

* From RP mode to LP mode (FIGS. 29 and 30)

In the RP mode, the movement of the pin 65 rotates the lever 64 in adirection of the arrow I, and according thereto, the switching arm 70 isrotated in a J direction opposed to the direction of the arrow I.According to the rotation, the spring 76 is rotated about the convexportion 72 in a direction of the arrow K, and the pinch arm 33a engagingthe spring 76 is rotated to press the pinch roller 82a onto the capstan85 to clamp the tape therebetween. At the same time, the gear 840a isattached to the gear arm 83a to continuously engage a small gear of aflywheel 121a, and engages the reel rest lower portion 93a to transferdriving force of the flywheel to the reel rest. A playback operation canbe thereby performed. In the LP mode, the switching arm 70 is rotated inthe I direction opposed to the arrow J, and later operation is as in thecase of the above operation. As a result, the pinch roller engages ashaft of the flywheel through the tape to perform the playback operationin a direction opposed to the direction in the above case.

* From AR mode to FR mode

Since no operation is required between these modes, a stand by state isheld at the same position as that in the EJ mode to the AR mode.

[HEAD DRIVING OPERATION]

FIGS. 34 to 41 are diagrams showing a head driving operation.

* EJ mode (FIG. 34)

The head 4 is positioned farthest from the tape to provide a state wherethe head stands by outside the cassette tape.

* STP mode (FIG. 35)

In order to proceed the next mode, the head 4 is somewhat closer to thetape than would be in the EJECT mode. However, there is the state wherethe head stands by outside the cassette tape.

In case a rotary head is employed for the DCC or the like, the head 4 isrotated at the position by 180° during an auto-reverse operation so asto enable playback of both sides of the tape.

* FL mode (FIG. 36)

The driving lever 87 is rotated to engage the claw portion 89 with thespring 90 so as to press the head 4. Consequently, the head 4 furtherapproaches the tape, and slack of the tape is also removed at thisposition. In case there is a tape setting error or the like duringremoving the slack, the tape is not correctly set so that the head maycontact a cassette tape half. In order to prevent the head fromcontacting the cassette tape half, the head never enters inside thecassette tape in such a case.

* AL mode and AR mode (FIGS. 37 and 40)

The head base 74 is moved by the claw portion 89 pushing the spring 90,resulting in the head 4 contacting the tape.

* RP mode and LP mode (FIGS. 38 and 39)

The claw portion 89 further pushes the spring 90 to contact the head 4with the tape under pressure. At this time, forward movement of the headbase 74 is restricted by the pin notches 80c and 80d (see FIG. 6).

* FR mode

The claw portion 89 moves in a direction apart from the spring 90 topush and move the head base 74. Thereby, the spring 90 can be returnedto the same state as that in the fast forward mode. In this mode, adistance between the head 4 and the tape is shorter than that betweenthe tape and the head in the fast forward mode.

[SELECTIVE OPERATION TO TRANSFER DRIVING FORCE TO REEL REST DURING FASTFORWARD]

FIGS. 42 to 49 show the selective operation to transfer the drivingforce to the reel rest during fast forward for each mode. A descriptionwill now be given for each mode.

* From EJ mode to STP mode (FIGS. 42 and 43)

The convex portion 123 moves on a groove having substantially the samediameter from the center of the cam gear 30. Therefore, the idler gear126 attached to the switching arm 124 does not engage any one of theflywheels and the reel rests.

* STP mode (FIG. 43)

In order to proceed to the next mode, after the EJ mode and the STPmode, the switching arm 124 is rotated counterclockwise to move theidler gear 126 closer to the reel rest lower portion 93b, and a largegear of a flywheel 121b.

* FL mode and AL mode (FIGS. 44 and 45)

The switching arm 124 is further rotated to engage the idler gear 126with both the flywheel and the reel rest, and transfer driving force ofthe flywheel 121b to the reel rest lower portion 93b.

* LP mode and RP mode (FIGS. 46 and 47)

The switching arm 124 is reversely rotated to backward move the idlergear 126 to the same position as that in the EJ mode and the STP mode.

* AR mode and FR mode (FIGS. 48 and 49)

The switching arm 124 is further reversely rotated to engage the idlergear 126 with both of the flywheel 121a and the reel rest lower portion93a so as to transfer the driving force of the flywheel to the reelrest.

[DESCRIPTION OF ENTIRE OPERATION]

FIGS. 50 and 51 show a series of entire operation of the tape playerincluding each operation as set forth above. A description will now begiven of the entire operation.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing a series of operation proceeding from theEJ mode to the LP mode in the embodiment according to the presentinvention. The operation from STEP 1 to STEP 5 has been described in theabove discussion concerning to the cassette tape carry in/out operation,and a description thereof is omitted. In STEP 6, the FL mode of the camgear 30 is detected by the mode detecting switch 111 to turn OFF thepower motor 120. Subsequently, the main motor 5 is turned ON in STEP 7to remove the tape slack by the fast forward operation. When anyvariation occurs in a terminal end detecting pulse serving as outputfrom the rotation detecting sensor 114 of a tape feeding side reel, itis regarded that the slack is completely removed, and the main motor isturned OFF (in STEP 10) and the slack removing operation is ended (inSTEP 11). Alternatively, when there is no tape on the feeding side reel,a microcomputer decides depending upon no rotation of both the reelsthat the terminal end is reached, and the slack removing operation isended (in STEPs 9, 10, and 11). In case the slack removing operation isnot ended even after the elapse of several seconds from a starting timeof the tape fast forward operation, it is regarded that the slackremoving operation is failed, thereafter ejecting the tape. When thetape is cut off, or the cassette tape is positioned on the reel due toerroneous setting, it is decided that abnormality occurs because thefeeding side reel can not rotate though a receiving side reel rotates,resulting in the EJECT operation (in STEPs 9 to 16). In STEP 18, it isdecided whether the tape is the metal and high position tapes or thenormal tape by detecting whether a switch A is ON or OFF. Thereafter,the power motor is turned ON again, and the power motor is turned OFF ata time when the mode detecting switch 111 detects either the LP mode orthe RP mode (in STEP 20). In the above discussion illustrating the fouroperations, descriptions have been given of the operation of therespective mechanisms with respect to movement of the cam gear 30 duringthe above operation, and descriptions thereof are omitted. Thereafter,the main motor is turned ON, and the capstans (flywheels) are rotated toprovide a playback state (in STEPs 21 and 22).

FIG. 51 is a state diagram showing a state where the operation proceedsfrom the LP mode.

The operation can proceed from the LP mode to the next mode as follows:

(1) Transition from LP mode to RP mode

* In case both the L and R reels are stopped at a terminal end of Lplayback

* In case the running switching (not shown) is turned ON during Lplayback

(2) Transition from LP mode to AL mode

* In case a random access switch is turned ON to search the next tune(or the tune after next, the third tune, or the like) during L playback

(3) Transition from LP mode to FL mode

* In case the fast forward switch is turned ON during L playback

* In case there is a blank for a period of a predetermined time or moreduring L playback (blank skip)

(4) Transition from LP mode to AR mode

* In case a random access switch is turned ON to search a current tune(or the last tune, two tunes before, or the like) during L playback

(5) Transition from LP mode to FR mode

In case a rewind (REW) switch is turned ON during L playback

(6) Transition from LP mode to STP mode

In case a key of a vehicle is turned OFF during L playback

The same transition holds true for a case where the operation proceedsfrom the RP mode to another mode.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19, OVERRUN modes (OR1 and OR2 in FIG. 19) areprovided on the respective overrun sides of the EJECT mode and theREWIND mode of a mode switch. Thus, even if the EJ mode and the FR modeare not detected erroneously and passed by, the OVERRUN modes aredetected to perform the backward operation (reversing).

[OTHER EMBODIMENTS]

FIG. 57 shows a tape player on which the DCC can also be played back andrecorded. The tape player is different from the above-mentioned tapeplayer in the cassette tape carry in/out operation, and a descriptionwill chiefly be given of the difference.

The DCC is different from the compact cassette in two points that theDCC has no tape rewind through-hole, and that the DCC has a slidingshutter to protect a tape. Consequently, descriptions will now be givenof a mechanism of a slider portion for securely holding the cassettetape until the tape is mounted on the reel rest, and of the operation toopen the shutter.

When a DCC 153 is inserted, an end 155 of a lever 154 engages a distalend of the cassette tape. Thereby, the lever 154 is rotated about apoint 156 to press an arm 157. This pressing force starts rotation ofthe arm 157 about a shaft 158, and in conjunction with the movement, anengaging portion 159 provided at a distal end of the arm 157 is rotatedabout a shaft 157a in a direction of the arrow M to engage a notchprovided in the shutter of the DCC at the vicinity of an end on the sideof a cassette main body. In case of the compact cassette tape, sincesuch a notch is not provided in the cassette main body, the engagingportion 159 only slides on a side surface of the cassette opening sideat the position. In case of the engaging DCC, while the engaging portion159 engaging, the engaging portion 159 is guided by a guide hole 160 toopen the shutter by sliding the shutter.

The slider portion includes a base portion 168 to slide in an elongatedhole 167 in a holder arm 166, and a lever 161. As shown in a side viewof FIG. 58, a claw portion 164 extends from one end of the lever toengage a hole portion in the cassette tape set forth above, and a clawportion 162 extends from the other end thereof to engage a grooveprovided in the DCC. In the lever 161, members having the claw portions164 and 162 are supported by the base portion 168 substantially at anintermediate portion 163 to serve as seesaw or the like.

A holding groove is provided in the DCC to hold the cassette. When theDCC is inserted into a cassette holder, the holding groove first engagesthe claw portion 164 of the slider 161. When the DCC is furtherinserted, the claw portion 164 of the slider is released from theholding groove by using a slope portion to slide onto the DCC. Slidingonto the DCC rotates the lever 161 in a direction of the arrow N todownward direct the claw portion 162. The claw portion 162 engages theholding groove of the inserted DCC. In order to ensure the engagement, aperipheral portion of the elongated hole 167 in the holder arm 166 maybe formed to become slightly higher, and a guide portion provided forthe lever 161 may be slid onto the peripheral portion so as to furtherdirect the claw portion 162 downward. When the DCC is moved to aterminal end of guide, and is lowered in a reel rest direction, theengagement between the holding groove and the claw portion 162 is easilyreleased. Therefore, an elastic member 165 may press the engagingportion between the cassette holder and the holder arm as described inthe first embodiment so as not to be bent before the reel rest ismounted into a reel rest inserting hole.

As in the case of the operation set forth above, the playback operationis performed after the cassette is mounted.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As set forth above, according to the present invention, a tape player isprovided to operate pins engaging four different grooves provided in onedisk-like cam to move in the respective grooves according to rotation ofthe disk-like cam, a member having a lever working in conjunction withthe movement of the pins, for performing a carry in/out operation of acassette tape engaging the lever by the operation of the lever, a memberfor a moving operation of a head base, a member for a playback runningdirection switching operation, and a member for selective operation totransfer driving force to a tape driving mechanism during fast forward.As a result, there are effects in that the one disk-like cam enables thecassette tape carry in/out operation, the head base moving operation,the playback running direction switching operation, and the selectiveoperation to transfer the driving force to the tape driving mechanismduring fast forward.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, a first groove for acassette carry in/out operation, and a second groove for a playbackrunning direction switching operation are provided in a first surface ofa disk-like cam. Further, a third groove for a head base movingoperation, and a fourth groove for a selective operation to transferdriving force to a tape driving mechanism during fast forward areprovided in a second surface. As a result, there are effects in that thegrooves in both sides of the one disk-like cam enable the cassette tapecarry in/out operation, the head base moving operation, the playbackrunning direction switching operation, and the selective operation totransfer the driving force to the tape driving mechanism during fastforward.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, in four operationsincluding a cassette tape carry in/out operation, a head base movingoperation, a playback running direction switching operation, and aselective operation to transfer driving force to a tape drivingmechanism during fast forward, the operations are performed according torotation of a disk-like cam from a starting point in the followingorder: a cassette tape take-in and cassette tape mounted to tape drivingmechanism mode; a tape L direction fast forward mode; a tape R directionplayback mode; a tape L direction playback mode; and a tape R directionfast forward mode. As a result, there are effects in that only onedisk-like cam enables the cassette take-in and cassette tape mounted totape driving mechanism mode operation, the tape L direction fast forwardoperation, the tape R direction playback operation, the tape L directionplayback operation, and the tape R direction fast forward operation.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, there is a differencein a groove width between a first groove and a second groove provided ina first surface of a disk-like cam, or between a third groove and afourth groove provided in a second surface. As a result, there is aneffect in that pins can be prevented from erroneously engaging thegrooves by different groove widths of the grooves provided in the onedisk-like cam.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, a rib is provided fora groove other than first to fourth grooves provided in a disk-like cam.As a result, there is an effect in that grooves in the one disk-like camcan clearly be discriminated.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, when a disk-like camis rotated by a predetermined angle, in four operations including acassette tape carry in/out operation, a head base moving operation, aplayback running direction switching operation, and a selectiveoperation to transfer driving force to a tape driving mechanism duringfast forward, no force is applied to each pin from members forperforming at least three of the operations. Consequently, at apredetermined position of a groove, no force is applied to the disk-likecam from the members for performing at least three of the fouroperations. As a result, there is an effect of easier assembly.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, an overrun portion isprovided at each end of first to fourth grooves in a disk-like cam tourge an elastic body used for a member for each operation after theoperation. As a result, there is an effect in that the elastic body usedfor the member for each operation at each end of the first to fourthgrooves in the disk-like cam can be urged by the overrun portion afterthe operation.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, a tape playerincludes a disk-like cam, a mode detecting switch to detect each mode ofthe disk-like cam, a mode detecting gear provided for the mode detectingswitch to have the same number of teeth as that of teeth of thedisk-like cam, and a transfer gear in which two gears having differentdiameters are coaxially disposed to engage both the disk-like cam andthe mode detecting gear. Further, the two gears having the differentdiameters in the transfer gear have the same number of teeth, and crestsof both the teeth have the same angle. As a result, there are effects inthat a more compact structure can be provided by coaxially disposing thetwo gears having the different diameters in the transfer gear engagingboth the one disk-like cam and the mode detecting gear, and smoothoperation can be expected even if the disk-like cam or the modedetecting gear erroneously engages a wrong gear because the gears areidentical in the number of teeth and in the angle of the crest.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, a tape playerincludes a slide plate moving according to movement of a pin engaging afirst groove provided in a disk-like cam for a cassette carry in/outoperation, and a detecting lever engaging the slide plate by movement ofthe slide plate during cassette carry in operation to press a switch foractuating a motor to carry in a cassette. Further, when the slide plateis moved to a predetermined position, engagement between the detectinglever and the second slide plate is released, and repulsion of theswitch returns the detecting lever to an original position. As a result,there are effects in that a more compact apparatus can be provided bydirectly relating the movement of the slide plate to pressing of theswitch, and information of the switch can be used even in other modes byreturning the detecting lever by the repulsion of the switch at thepredetermined position of the slide plate.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, when a cassette tapeis mounted on a reel rest, a side surface of the cassette tape engages adetecting lever to press a switch. As a result, there is an effect inthat a type of the cassette tape can be discriminated by using thedetecting lever.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, a tape playerincludes a first slide plate having a pin engaging a first grooveprovided in a disk-like cam for a cassette carry in/out operation, and asecond slide plate connected to the first slide plate through an elasticbody to move in conjunction with movement of the first slide plate inthe same direction as that of the movement so as to move a slider forholding a cassette tape in a direction opposed to the above direction.Since the moving distance of the second slide plate is shorter than thatof the first slide plate, the second slide plate is urged by the elasticbody at movement terminal end. As a result, there are effects in that amore compact apparatus can be provided by using one disk-like cam, and astable operation can be realized by applying urging force between themutual slide plates at the movement terminal end of the slide plate.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, a tape playerincludes a slide plate moving according to movement of a first pinengaging a first groove provided in a disk-like cam for a cassette carryin/out operation so as to move a slider for holding a cassette tape, aholder arm movably supporting the slider, and vertically moving thecassette tape in a holder by engaging a second pin with a guide holeprovided in the slide plate so as to release the cassette tape from areel rest or mount the cassette tape on the reel rest, and an elasticbody whose annular portion is disposed on a convex portion extendingfrom the slide plate, for engaging a first cut-raised portion providedfor the slide plate such that one end extending from the annular portionis disposed on extension of the guide hole, and for engaging a secondcut-raised portion such that the other end applies elastic force to theone end in a direction of the first cut-raised portion. When the slideris moved, the second pin engages the one end of the elastic bodydisposed on extension of the guide hole. As a result, there are effectsin that a more compact apparatus can be provided by using the onedisk-like cam, and elastic force can be applied to a part of an engagingportion between the slide plate and the holder arm.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, a tape playerincludes a reel pedestal rotated by transferring driving force, afriction member disposed on the reel pedestal, a slip gear contactingthe friction member to transfer driving force to the reel pedestalthrough the friction member, an elastic body urging the slip gear in adirection to press the friction member, and a stopper adjustablepressing force of the elastic body on the friction member. Further, amark indicating pressing force is put on the stopper. As a result, thereis an effect in that operability can be improved by marking the stopperfor assembly of the reel rest.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, a tape playerincludes a reel pedestal rotated by transferring driving force, afriction member disposed on the reel pedestal, and a slip gearcontacting the friction member to transfer driving force to the reelpedestal through the friction member. Further, a taper portion isprovided for the slip gear at a portion contacting the reel pedestal,and lubricant is applied to the taper portion. As a result, there areeffects in that the lubricant can be applied after assembling the reelpedestal, the friction member, and the slip gear, and operability can beimproved.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, a reel rest, a modedetecting switch, and a circuit to detect signals from the reel rest andthe mode detecting switch are disposed on one base. As a result, thereare effects in that a more compact apparatus can be provided, andoperability can be improved by disposing the reel rest, the modedetecting switch, and the circuit to detect the signals from the reelrest and the mode detecting switch on the one base.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, a printed-like wiredcircuit is mounted on a board to provide a circuit to detect a signal,and when the board is mounted on a base, the printed-like wired circuitis removed from a periphery of a board mounting portion provided for thebase. As a result, there are effects in that operability and reliabilityof an apparatus can be improved by removing the printed-like wiredcircuit from the periphery of the board mounting portion.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, a tape playerincludes a reel base on which a reel rest is disposed, and a main baseon which the reel base is mounted. Further, a hole portion is providedin the main base to pass a cassette tape rewind portion of the reel restpositioned between the reel base and the main base therethrough, and ahollow portion is provided at a periphery of the hole portion in themain base to protect a gear portion for driving the reel rest. As aresult, there are effects in that a more compact apparatus can beprovided, and entrance of dust or the like into the reel rest can befurther reduced by providing the hollow portion for the main base toprotect the gear portion of the reel rest.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, a tape playerincludes a reel base having a printed-like wired circuit to transmit asignal from a reel rest or a mode detecting switch, a main base on whichthe reel base is mounted, and a belt disposed on a reel base mountingsurface of the main base to transfer driving force to a flywheel.Further, a guide portion is provided for a part of the reel base so asnot to contact a part of the printed-like wired circuit derived from thereel base in a direction of the main base with the belt. As a result,there is an effect in that reliability of an apparatus can be improvedby providing the guide portion so as not to contact the printed-likewired circuit derived from the reel base to the main base with the beltfor transferring the driving force to the flywheel.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, a switch is disposedon a guide portion to discriminate a cassette tape. As a result, thereare effects in that a space can be more reduced, and a more compactapparatus can be provided by disposing the switch on the guide portion.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, a tape playerincludes a head base on which a head is mounted for recording andplayback of a cassette tape, an elastic body disposed on the head base,and a lever having one end engaging a groove provided in a disk-like camfor moving the head base, and the other end engaging the head basedirectly or through the elastic body. When the cassette tape is carriedin or carried out, the other end of the lever directly engages andpresses the head base to urge the head base in a direction to move thehead apart from the mounted cassette tape. When the tape is played back,the other end of the lever urges the head base through the elastic bodyin a direction to press onto the mounted cassette tape. As a result,there is an effect in that reliability of an apparatus can be improvedby driving the head base through the elastic body, and continuouslyurging the head base by elastic force.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, when a cassette iscarried in or carried out, the other end of a lever directly engages andpresses a head base, and an elastic body concurrently engages the otherend of the lever to press in a direction opposed to the pressingdirection. As a result, there is an effect in that, when the cassette iscarried in or carried out, the head base can be pressed by the other endof the lever directly engaging the head base, and the elastic body canconcurrently be pressed in the direction opposed to the pressingdirection by engaging the other end of the lever.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, in four operationsincluding a cassette tape carry in/out operation, a head base movingoperation, a playback running direction switching operation, and aselective operation to transfer driving force to a tape drivingmechanism during fast forward, the operations are performed according torotation of a disk-like cam from a starting point in the followingorder: a cassette tape take-in and cassette tape mounted to tape drivingmechanism mode; a tape L direction fast forward mode; a tape R directionplayback mode; a tape L direction playback mode; and a tape R directionfast forward mode. Further, a distance between a head and a tape in thetape L direction fast forward mode is longer than that between the headand the tape in the R direction fast forward mode. As a result, thereare effects in that collision of the cassette tape with the headgenerated during loading can be avoided, and reliability of an apparatuscan be improved by providing the longer distance between the head andthe tape in the tape L direction fast forward mode than that between thehead and the tape in the R direction fast forward mode.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, a thickness removedportion is provided for a lever having one end engaging a grooveprovided in a disk-like cam for a selective operation to transferdriving force to a tape driving mechanism for tape fast forward, and theother end including a gear idler which is engagable a flywheel. As aresult, there are effects in that the lever can be protected from forcedengagement between the flywheel and the gear idler, and reliability ofan apparatus can be improved by providing the thickness removed portionfor the lever having the one end engaging the groove in the disk-likecam and the other end including the gear idler engagable the flywheel.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, a tape playerincludes a cassette holder for holding a cassette tape, and a holder armpositioned to be coplanar with the cassette holder when a cassette isinserted into the cassette holder, for providing a predetermined angleat a connecting portion of the holder arm and the cassette holder whenthe cassette tape is moved to a position to be mounted on a tape drivingmechanism. Further, an elastic member urges in a direction in which theholder arm and the cassette holder are coplanar with each other. As aresult, there are effects in that the cassette tape can be preventedfrom being removed before mounting the cassette tape onto the tapedriving apparatus, and reliability of an apparatus can be improved bythe elastic member urging in the direction in which the holder arm andthe cassette holder are coplanar with each other.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tape player comprising:a single disk-shaped camfor controlling a cassette tape carry in/out operation as well as aplurality of cassette tape playing operations of the tape player, saiddisk-shaped cam including a plurality of teeth; first, second, third andfourth pins engaging a first set of grooves having first, second, thirdand fourth grooves provided in said disk-shaped cam to move in therespective grooves according to rotation of said disk-shaped cam; afirst member connected to said first pin and having a lever working inconjunction with the movement of the pins, said first member performinga carry in/out operation of a cassette tape engaging the lever bycausing a cassette holder to move between a cassette tape insertingposition and a cassette tape mounting position as said first pin travelsalong said first groove; a second member connected to said second pinfor playback running direction switching operation; a third memberconnected to said third pin for moving operation of a head base; afourth member connected to said fourth pin for selective operation totransfer driving force to a cassette tape driving mechanism during fastforward mode; and a mode detecting gear engaging said plurality of teethon said disk-shaped cam for detecting which operation is being performedby the tape player, wherein said first groove and said second groove areprovided in an obverse surface of the disk-shaped cam, and said thirdgroove and said fourth groove are provided in a reverse surface of thedisk-shaped cam, wherein there is a difference in groove width betweensaid first groove and said second groove provided in said obversesurface of the disk-shaped cam, and there is a difference in groovewidth between said third groove and said fourth groove provided in saidreverse surface.
 2. The tape player according to claim 1, wherein, infour operations including the cassette tape carry in/out operation, thehead base moving operation, the playback running direction switchingoperation, and the selective operation to transfer driving force to acassette tape driving mechanism during fast forward mode, the operationsare performed according to rotation of the disk-shaped cam from astarting point in the following order: a cassette tape take-in andcassette tape mounted to cassette tape driving mechanism mode; a tapefirst direction fast forward mode; a tape second direction playbackmode; a tape first direction playback mode; and a tape second directionfast forward mode.
 3. The tape player according to claim 2, whereinthere is a difference in groove width between a first groove and asecond groove provided in said obverse surface of the disk-shaped cam,or between a third groove and a fourth groove provided in said reversesurface.
 4. The tape player according to claim 2, wherein thedisk-shaped cam further is provided with a second set of grooves and aplurality of ribs to prevent any of said pins from entering any of saidsecond set of grooves.
 5. The tape player according to claim 2, furthercomprising pretensioning means for pretensioning said first, second,third and fourth members wherein an overrun portion is provided at eachend of said first, second, third and fourth grooves such that at the endof each operation as one of said members moves into one of said overrunportions, said one of said members is pretensioned for the subsequentoperation.
 6. The tape player according to claim 1, wherein thedisk-shaped cam further is provided with a second set of grooves and aplurality of ribs to prevent any of said pins from entering any of saidsecond set of grooves.
 7. The tape player according to claim 6, furthercomprising pretensioning means for pretensioning said first, second,third and fourth members wherein an overrun portion is provided at eachend of said first, second, third and fourth grooves such that at the endof each operation as one of said members moves into one of said overrunportions, said one of said members is pretensioned for the subsequentoperation.
 8. The tape player according to claim 1, wherein, when thedisk-shaped cam is rotated by a predetermined angle, in four operationsincluding the cassette tape carry in/out operation, the head base movingoperation, the playback running direction switching operation, and theselective operation to transfer driving force to a tape drivingmechanism during fast forward mode, no force is applied to each of saidpins from said members for performing at least three of the operations.9. The tape player according to claim 8, further comprisingpretensioning means for pretensioning said first, second, third andfourth members wherein an overrun portion is provided at each end ofsaid first, second, third and fourth grooves such that at the end ofeach operation as one of said members moves into one of said overrunportions, said one of said members is pretensioned for the subsequentoperation.
 10. The tape player according to claim 1, further comprisingpretensioning means for pretensioning said first, second, third andfourth members wherein an overrun portion is provided at each end ofsaid first, second, third and fourth grooves such that at the end ofeach operation as one of said members moves into one of said overrunportions, said one of said members is pretensioned for the subsequentoperation.
 11. A tape player comprising:a single disk-shaped cam forcontrolling a cassette tape carry in/out operation as well as aplurality of cassette tape playing operations of the tape player, saiddisk-shaped cam including a plurality of teeth; first, second, third andfourth pins engaging a first set of grooves having first, second, thirdand fourth grooves provided in said disk-shaped cam to move in therespective grooves according to rotation of said disk-shaped cam; afirst member connected to said first pin and having a lever working inconjunction with the movement of the pins, said first member performinga carry in/out operation of a cassette tape engaging the lever bycausing a cassette holder to move between a cassette tape insertingposition and a cassette tape mounting position as said first pin travelsalong said first groove; a second member connected to said second pinfor a playback running direction switching operation; a third memberconnected to said third pin for a moving operation of a head base; afourth member connected to said fourth pin for selective operation totransfer driving force to a cassette tape driving mechanism during fastforward mode; and a mode detecting gear engaging said plurality of teethon said disk-shaped cam for detecting which operation is being performedby the tape player, wherein two of said grooves are provided in anobverse surface of the disk-shaped cam, and the other two of saidgrooves are provided in a reverse surface of the disk-shaped cam; andgroove widths of said grooves provided in said obverse surface aredifferent from each other, and groove widths of said grooves provided insaid reverse surface are different from each other.